shoebop 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2012 I'm a little reluctant to post my ties here after seeing some of the other very impressive offerings. These are my first attempts at crafting some panfish poppers so be kind. I am open to your advice if you have any. I am pretty happy with the results so far but there is plenty of room for improvement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perchjerker 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2012 Nice bugs, and an interesting application for feathers! Bet they will catch fish! It is next to impossible to critique them as they are out of focus when they are enlarged (at least for me) and the thumbnails are too small to see any details. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry Franklin 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2012 Nice work shoebop!!! Henry F. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catmanclark 0 Report post Posted April 10, 2012 very nice, this in my opinion is a great start to something much bigger.. I also feel the same way about posting pictures.. I enjoy the idea of something other than hackle behind the head.. i'd shorten the tail hair up a bit, in my opinion but very nice work, your poppers are already sending me to my bench for new ideas.. thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idcraft 0 Report post Posted April 19, 2012 Nice looking poppers, really like the "paint" scheme Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted April 19, 2012 With them being your first, they're pretty good! Since they're panfish poppers, I would shorten the tails a bit, perhaps about 2/3 to 1/2 of what you have. Bigger poppers for bass, not an issue, bass tend to engulf them, but make them too long for panfish & you may get a lot of short strikes as they'll want to grab the tails & will miss the hook. With some being marabou, when wet, you may also have some issues with the tails fouling around the hook, because they're long. The fourth one over may be a problem. This one in particular may have issues with hooking. The gap of the hook is partially blocked by the body. This is a bass popper, but it clearly shows the hook gap. Make it a point to give any popper hook as much clearance as possible. Keep at it, you're off to a great start! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoebop 0 Report post Posted April 19, 2012 With them being your first, they're pretty good! Since they're panfish poppers, I would shorten the tails a bit, perhaps about 2/3 to 1/2 of what you have. Bigger poppers for bass, not an issue, bass tend to engulf them, but make them too long for panfish & you may get a lot of short strikes as they'll want to grab the tails & will miss the hook. With some being marabou, when wet, you may also have some issues with the tails fouling around the hook, because they're long. The fourth one over may be a problem. This one in particular may have issues with hooking. The gap of the hook is partially blocked by the body. This is a bass popper, but it clearly shows the hook gap. Make it a point to give any popper hook as much clearance as possible. Keep at it, you're off to a great start! You're right about the hook gap. I didn't realize the problem til after I tied it. I will use a different hook in the future. Thanks for the critique. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stippled Popper 0 Report post Posted April 19, 2012 With them being your first, they're pretty good! Since they're panfish poppers, I would shorten the tails a bit, perhaps about 2/3 to 1/2 of what you have. Bigger poppers for bass, not an issue, bass tend to engulf them, but make them too long for panfish & you may get a lot of short strikes as they'll want to grab the tails & will miss the hook. With some being marabou, when wet, you may also have some issues with the tails fouling around the hook, because they're long. The fourth one over may be a problem. This one in particular may have issues with hooking. The gap of the hook is partially blocked by the body. This is a bass popper, but it clearly shows the hook gap. Make it a point to give any popper hook as much clearance as possible. Keep at it, you're off to a great start! Another consideration with poppers and hook gap is that seating the hook as low in the popper body is something to consider. The hook in the fourth image is almost centered in the body. This reduces the hook gap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kirk Dietrich 0 Report post Posted April 19, 2012 Nice colors on those guys. I really like using the feather as a topping but I don't do it nearly as often as I should. Kirk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CoachBob 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2012 For bass try using a Mustad 37187 stinger hook. The hook shape and gap keeps the point away from the foam body. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oarfish 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2012 Nice tyes Shoebop, I would just suggest IMHO less is more, I like or put my eyes lower on the head when I use eyes painted or glued on, for myself I put them on a little below center line. To keep the tail dressing from dropping down into the hook gape and fouling the hook tye into the hook shank a flat loop of mono to keep the dressing out of the hook, over all good job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoebop 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2012 Nice tyes Shoebop, I would just suggest IMHO less is more, I like or put my eyes lower on the head when I use eyes painted or glued on, for myself I put them on a little below center line. To keep the tail dressing from dropping down into the hook gape and fouling the hook tye into the hook shank a flat loop of mono to keep the dressing out of the hook, over all good job. Good idea Rick thanks for taking the time to comment and share your knowledge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
